Program Development and Administration

Initial funding for development was provided through the Oregon Community Foundation and

continued through AHEC and OHSU support. Although the

program is predominantly member supported through annual fees, we are actively seeking rate relief and subsidy partners in our mission to

address temporary practice coverage needs and expand rural Oregon’s

primary care workforce capacities.

3181 Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code L612, Portland, Oregon, 97239-3098

Joseph Ichter, DrPH, MHA, Director Cell 503.329.4594 Office 503.494.1267

Email ichter@ohsu.edu

The Oregon Locum Tenens Cooperative Program Office

Organizing provider practice relief and

maintaining access to care for Oregon’s rural and

underserved communities.

O L T C

O L T C

The Oregon Locum Tenens CooperativE

“In the spring of 2010, our hospital experienced the unexpected resignations of an emergency and a hospitalist physician. Fortunately, we were able to access locums providers through a new program offered through OHSU. Their ability to provide

immediate and long-term support in this critical situation literally saved our bacon! It allowed us the time to identify a full time physician and provided us with

an extremely economical solution compared to commercial locums companies.”

James Wathen, CEO, Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center

OLTC Program Office Functions Maintains and manages the

coverage requests of OLTC members up to 6 months in advance.

Builds the locum tenens workforce via social networks, affiliated professional organizations and regional residency programs.

Completes primary verification for participating providers, assuring their qualifications.

Members can access credentialing data and past placement satisfaction surveys to quickly make decisions on providers electing to take assignments.

Community Driven and Membership Directed In July of 2009, OHSU’s Area Health Education Center (AHEC) began exploring alternative methods of locum tenens provision, ensuring temporary or short-term primary care access to rural communities, facilities and medical practices. Many communities recognized commercial options of locum tenens as unaffordable and often providing care not compatible with the needs of rural populations. Our mission, in partnering with rural communities to address these issues, led us to a cooperative model of locums provision. The Oregon Locum Tenens Cooperative (OLTC) was launched in January 2011.

1

Member & Community Benefits Low cost coverage through direct

contracts between sites and providers. Access to a pre-screened locum tenens

workforce familiar with rural practice. Maintains access to care while local

providers are absent from practice. Available practice relief helps retain

community providers. Ability to permanently hire the locums

providers at little or no cost. Governing body is made up of OLTC

members assuring program operations serve communities.

Low-cost annual membership fees. Potential connections to NHSC and

State loan repayment programs.

2

Locums Provider Benefits Higher compensation for locums work

due to direct contracting. Easy access to all available locum

tenens postings. Medical malpractice covered through

each member site at no added cost. Allows for variation of practice, giving

providers the opportunity to work temporarily in new settings.

Member sites have been vetted for basic criteria of scope of services and service needs.

Sites within driving distances and all within the State of Oregon.